Hi, Tom,

I think we're in complete agreement here. As the speed drops, the 
probability that one will generate a superior transfer with a narrower 
head increases. The same is true as the tape decays.

The major points that I was making was:
   -- Don't assume that any given speed/machine/tape combination will 
work better
   -- Start with the FT head and only switch to a narrower head if you 
hear artifacts on the FT head
   -- Transport guidance and topology does make a huge difference here

I think you're saying the same thing. I like the premium Nortronics 
heads, and I like the Studer heads. The Woelke and Applied Magnetics 
heads also do a good job. I use all of these brands. I have many formats 
in two or more of the brands.
FT Mono: Nortronics, Studer
NAB: Applied Magnetics, Nortronics, Studer, Woelke
DIN: Nortronics Studer, Woelke

I find the differences to be more related to profile than to 
manufacturer. For example, the low frequency response on my NAB A-M 
heads is like my Studer because the face is broader. The Nortronics and 
the Woelke are a bit weaker on the low end. (on NAB)

I also have a pair of Saki NAB heads, but they are too high inductance 
for any of the machines I have. NOS. I think they were for a Scully 280.

With this stuff, everything makes a difference <sigh>.

Cheers,

Richard

On 2012-01-06 7:45 PM, Tom Fine wrote:
> Just to be clear about something -- I'm not saying you shouldn't use a 
> full-track head to play
> full-track tapes whenever possible. What I said was, if the tape has 
> deteriorated or was slit so
> that it won't travel well through your tape path, sometimes it's 
> necessary to play smaller parts of
> the track so as not to get flangeing and "swishing" with high frequencies.
>>
>

-- 
Richard L. Hess                   email: [log in to unmask]
Aurora, Ontario, Canada           (905) 713 6733     1-877-TAPE-FIX
http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm
Quality tape transfers -- even from hard-to-play tapes.